Friday, August 26, 2011

Myths about homeless pets abound, but the ASPCA is working overtime to counter those misconceptions. You can find the pet of your dreams at an animal shelter. Here are just a few of the many myths that exist about homeless pets: The Myth: I want a purebred animal, but all homeless pets are mixed breeds.The Truth: In the U.S., an estimated 30 percent of all homeless pets are purebred. Right now, at the ASPCA, we have several purebred pets ready for adoption, including Amber, a purebred Miniature Poodle who adores people and other dogs.

The Myth: Homeless pets must be unwanted for good reasons.The Truth: Pets end up in shelters for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the pet. Adoptable pets typically come from loving homes that simply cannot care for them anymore. Or they are strays who’ve been on their own without the loving care they deserve. Homeless pets make great family members!

The Myth: You never know what you’re getting with an adopted pet.

The Truth: While the background of some homeless pets is a mystery, many waiting for homes have long and happy histories with families who simply can no longer care for them.

For information about how we can all help solve pet homelessness and keep debunking the myths, please visit www.peoplesavingpets.org. People Saving Pets is a national campaign to help save the lives of homeless pets in which the ASPCA is a leading partner. Getting involved is easy—visit www.peoplesavingpets.org and share the link with your friends. Just a few simple actions can make a big difference for animals!

Monday, August 15, 2011

More than 75 cats neutered at day-long clinic; highlights critical need for services

MONESSEN, PA—A total of 78 cats were neutered on Sunday at a day-long veterinary clinic sponsored by Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. The services were provided at no cost to residents of Monessen, many of whom brought their house cats to be spayed or neutered.

“There is an enormous need for accessible and affordable spay and neuter services for the cats in Monessen, both owned house cats and feral cats in colonies” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “We stepped in to help fill this tremendous need.”

Monessen was the subject of much controversy last March after city leaders hired a private trapper to trap cats and bring them to a local shelter where most were immediately killed. The trapping, which was carried out with no prior notice to town residents, resulted in the deaths of dozens of cats. Many of the cats’ caregivers did not discover their fates for nearly a week following the trapping.

“The big turnout for services we saw on Sunday is yet more indication that residents of Monessen don’t support killing—they want humane care for the city’s cats, including Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats and affordable spay and neuter for all cats,” said Robinson.

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) ends the breeding cycle, stabilizes the population and helps feral cats lead healthier lives. It also makes the cats better neighbors by ending behaviors associated with mating, like yowling and fighting. Many communities across the country have embraced TNR after realizing that catch and kill is cruel, expensive, and doesn’t achieve its goal.

Still, Robinson noted, being killed in an animal shelter remains the leading documented cause of death for cats nationwide. More than 70 percent of cats brought to shelters are killed there, at enormous expense to taxpayers and shelter donors.

“Trap-Neuter-Return is the only effective course of action for feral cats,” said Robinson. “If Monessen city leaders had invested in spay and neuter, dozens of cats could have been saved.”

“We applaud the local residents who came out today and those who helped to organize this important event. We hope city leaders are paying attention and are finally ready to be responsive to the needs of the community,” Robinson said.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

If you're a regular follower of Our Place to Paws, you've probably realized that besides updates on this blog, we haven't been posting new information on the main website for a number of months. Our Place to Paws has always been a labor of love, and as finances ran out and advertising failed to come in, we had to make the decision to let the site lie dormant for now. We have a great Facebook Group that anyone can join for regular updates of animal news, photos, and other fun tid-bits, and we are hoping to update the website again in the coming weeks or months. For now, we hope the information that's already available is still useful to anyone who stops by to visit. And we'll keep updating the blog, of course!

“Our Place to Paws” was born when a writer was sitting at her computer unable to get any work done. The cat curled happily on her lap was purring loudly and licking her hands as she tried to type. The writer realized that if she was unwilling to remove the cat, she was unlikely to get her work done, or frankly to ever go far as a serious professional. A long and honest examination of her priorities revealed that she was indeed unwilling – or pathologically unable – to disturb the cat. So the writer started an e-newsletter and a Web site instead, and the cat kept purring. Would you like to learn more, send ideas or subscribe to the e-newsletter? Write to: OurPlaceToPaws (at) aol.com.